The reason I do not like the short phrase 'for me' is because it is a reminder that we live in an age when truth is relative. The first time I noticed the phrase was when it was used repeatedly by a T.V. chef. He would mix his ingredients, cook his meat, fish or vegtables, drizzle on some sauce and after taking a bite say, "For me, that is perfect." His point was this particular mix of spices, herbs and flavours in this specific quantity tastes good. What I do not understand is why the phrase 'for me' was necessary. This is his area of expertise. Presumably if he chooses to mix a number of spices and finds that it works it would, on the whole, be agreeable to many who tasted it. Take as an example lamb. It is universally recognised that mint sauce complements roast lamb. In fact a restaurant that failed to produce mint sauce with a lamb dish would struggle to be taken seriously. Though it is a personal preference - some people do refuse mint sauce with lamb - it is a traditional dish.

The next time I noticed the phrase 'for me' it was used by a historian. Each time she drew a conclusion she began with 'for me'. This was all the more out of place. If the purpose of the historians is to study primary sources and other evidence in order to put together and accurate account of what happened in the past, then there must be a sense that one persons conclusion is accurate and a contrary conclusion is mistaken. Yet by including 'for me' at the beginning of a conclusion it implies that two opposing opinions can be equally correct.

There was a man who never used the phrase 'for me' instead in its place he would say, "Truly, truly, I say to you..." When he said this he was assuring those that listened that what he was about to say was unequivocally true. One such time he said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life" (John 6:47). It was Jesus who spoke these words and he intends to leave us in no doubt. To believe in him is not merely personal preference but it is the choice between life and death. Life to those who believe and death for those who choose any other alternative or simply remain indifferent.

Despite this the age we live in encourages us to caveat what we say with phrases like IMHO or 'for me'. The problem is the phrases are redundant, they serve no purpose. If you write something then of course it is what you think and your opinion. That you think it is communicated when you write it. Furthermore there is a pressure to include these phrases for everything we say. Which means everything becomes a personal opinion and nothing is any longer objective. The world wishes to convince us that belief in Jesus as the only way to the Father is only our personal preference and there are many alternatives. Whereas Jesus both encourages and warns us, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).